We interrupt Captaingate to bring some news: Goalie Ray Emery will make his second straight start Tuesday when the Flyers host Columbus.

Emery, in his first NHL appearance since Dec. 5, wasn't sharp in a 5-3 loss in Washington Sunday.

Coach Peter Laviolette defended Emery's performance.

"Ray has to get back in there and get some games, and this is an opportunity for him to jump right back in there," the coach said after Monday's practice in Voorhees. "We need to do a little better job of taking care of the puck in front of him. Some of those goals, we put him in a bad position _ the ones that go cross ice, the backdoor goals are hard to handle, breakaways, a penalty shot against (Alex) Ovechkin. We want to give him a better game in front of him."

On Tuesday, the Flyers start a critical six-game homestand, their longest of the season.

"These six games could potentially make or break our season," center Jeff Carter said.

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Ian Laperriere, observing the media flap with Mike Richards, walked through the locker room making peace signs with his fingers. "Peace and love. Let's all be friends here," he said with a toothless smile.

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About 1,500 tickets remain for Tuesday's game against Ken Hitchcock's Blue Jackets. Fans will be given Orange Crush baseball caps.

Published: January 18, 2010 — 4:33 PM EST

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